Transmission control method and apparatus, and communication device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are a transmission control method and apparatus, and a communication device. The transmission control method in the embodiments of the present application comprises: a first communication device acquiring first target information; and on the basis of the first target information, the first communication device executing transmission control or determining that transmission control is to be skipped, wherein the first target information comprises at least one of the following: first information, second information for prohibiting control, third information for identifying or forwarding a data packet, and fourth information for transmission control, wherein the first information is used for indicating at least one of the following: a target service, transmission by means of a user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted by means of the user plane channel, data transmitted by means of the user plane channel, and target NF information.

Description

Transmission control methods, devices and communication equipment

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510110835.0, filed on January 23, 2025, entitled "Transmission Control Method, Apparatus and Communication Equipment", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a transmission control method, apparatus, and communication equipment. Background Technology

[0004] In 5G, some signaling messages (such as user plane positioning signaling messages) can be transmitted through the user plane channel. However, how to control the transmission of signaling messages transmitted through the user plane is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a transmission control method, apparatus, and communication device that can solve the problem of how to control the transmission of signaling messages transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0006] In a first aspect, a transmission control method is provided, executed by a first communication device, the method comprising:

[0007] The first communication device acquires the first target information;

[0008] The first communication device performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on the first target information;

[0009] The first target information includes at least one of the following:

[0010] First information;

[0011] Second information used for prohibition and control;

[0012] Third information used to identify or forward data packets;

[0013] The fourth piece of information used for transmission control;

[0014] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service, transmission through the user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, data transmitted through the user plane channel, and target network function (NF) information.

[0015] Secondly, a transmission control device is provided, comprising:

[0016] The acquisition module is used to acquire the first target information;

[0017] The processing module is configured to perform transmission control or determine to skip transmission control based on the first target information.

[0018] The first target information includes at least one of the following:

[0019] First information;

[0020] Second information used for prohibition and control;

[0021] Third information used to identify or forward data packets;

[0022] The fourth piece of information used for transmission control;

[0023] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service, transmission through the user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, data transmitted through the user plane channel, and target NF information.

[0024] Thirdly, a transmission control device is provided, the device being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0025] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0026] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to acquire first target information and, based on the first target information, perform transmission control or determine to skip transmission control; wherein the first target information includes at least one of the following:

[0027] First information;

[0028] Second information used for prohibition and control;

[0029] Third information used to identify or forward data packets;

[0030] The fourth piece of information used for transmission control;

[0031] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service, transmission through the user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, data transmitted through the user plane channel, and target NF information.

[0032] In a sixth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0033] In a seventh aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the network-side device is used to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0034] Eighthly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0035] In a ninth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to perform the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0036] In this embodiment, a first communication device acquires first target information and performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on the first target information. The first target information includes at least one of the following: first information, second information for prohibiting control, third information for identifying or forwarding data packets, and fourth information for transmission control. The first information indicates at least one of the following: target service; transmission through the user plane channel; signaling related to the target service; data related to the target service; signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; data transmitted through the user plane channel; and target NF information. Therefore, based on the first target information, the first communication device can clearly identify the information for prohibiting control, the information for transmission control, the information for identifying or forwarding data packets, the target NF, the signaling and / or data related to the target service, and the signaling and / or data transmitted through the user plane channel. The first communication device can clearly determine whether signaling or data is transmitted through the user plane channel, and whether it is signaling or data related to the target service. This helps the first communication device determine whether to perform transmission control, thereby correctly executing network transmission control of signaling and data messages, reducing the impact of congestion on network-side equipment, and improving the transmission efficiency of terminal or network functions. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 2 is a flowchart of one of the transmission control methods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 3 is a second flowchart of a transmission control method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a transmission control method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a transmission control method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 6 is a fifth flowchart of a transmission control method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a transmission control device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of another network-side device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0048] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0049] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the required operation, or the requested result in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the required operation or requested result based on the judgment result.

[0050] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0051] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can also be referred to as User Equipment (UE), and can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipboard equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this application embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment, wherein access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment may include base stations, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points (APs), or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc.Among them, base stations can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmit / Receive Point (TRP), Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform stations). The term "base station" can be any suitable term in the field, such as "station" or any other appropriate term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the base station in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of base station.

[0052] Core network equipment, also known as core network nodes, core network functions, or core network elements, includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (L-NEF), and Binding Support. Functions include BSF, Application Function (AF), Location Management Function (LMF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) equipment (such as satellite or high altitude platform station).It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only use the core network equipment in the NR system as an example for introduction, and do not limit the specific type of core network equipment. If the name of the core network equipment mentioned in the embodiments of this application changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it is also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0053] Optionally, the core network equipment can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a single device, or by multiple devices working together; this application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the aforementioned functional modules can be network elements in hardware devices, software functional modules running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functional modules instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0054] When a UE needs to access 5GS, it first performs access control checks to determine whether access is permitted. These checks should be performed according to the access attempt defined by the following events:

[0055] a) The UE is in 5G Mobility Management (5GMM) idle mode (IDLE) or 5GMM connected mode with a pause indication displayed on 3GPP access, and an event occurs that requires transition to 5GMM-IDLE;

[0056] b) The UE is in 5GMM connected mode while in 3GPP access or in RRC inactive mode and one of the following events has occurred:

[0057] 1) The 5GMM receives an MO-IMS-registration-related-signalling-started indication, an MO-MMTEL-voice-call-started indication, an MO-MMTEL-video-call-started indication, or an MO-SMSoIP-attempt-started indication from upper layers.

[0058] 2) 5GMM receives a request from upper layers to send a mobile-originated SMS over NAS unless the request triggers a service request procedure to transition the UE from 5GMM-IDLE mode or 5GMM-IDLE mode with suspend indication to 5GMM-CONNECTED mode.

[0059] 3) 5GMM receives a request from upper layers to send an UL NAS TRANSPORT message to establish a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, unless the request triggers a service request procedure to transition the UE from 5GMM-IDLE mode or 5GMM-IDLE mode with suspend indication to 5GMM-CONNECTED mode.

[0060] 4) 5GMM receives a request from upper layers to send an UL NAS TRANSPORT message to execute the UE-requested PDU session modification procedure, unless the request triggers a service request procedure to transition the UE from 5GMM-IDLE mode or 5GMM-IDLE mode with suspend indication to 5GMM-CONNECTED mode.

[0061] 5) 5GMM receives a request to re-establish the user-plane resources for an existing PDU session;

[0062] 6) 5GMM is notified that an uplink user data packet is to be sent for a PDU session with suspended user-plane resources;

[0063] 7) 5GMM receives a request from upper layers to send a mobile originated location request unless the request triggers a service request procedure to transition the UE from 5GMM-IDLE mode or 5GMM-IDLE mode with suspend indication to 5GMM-CONNECTED mode.

[0064] 8) When 5GMM receives a request from upper layers, it sends a mobile originated signalling transaction towards the PCF by sending an UL NAS TRANSPORT message including a UE policy container (see 3GPP TS24.587[19B] and 3GPP TS24.554[19E]), unless the request triggers a service request procedure to transition the UE from 5GMM-IDLE mode to 5GMM-CONNECTED mode.

[0065] 9) The 5GMM receives an indication from lower layers of the RAN timing synchronization status change and decides to transition the UE from 5GMM-CONNECTED mode with RRC inactive indication to 5GMM-CONNECTED mode as specified in subclause 5.3.1.4.

[0066] When the Non-access stratum (NAS) detects one of the above events, the NAS needs to perform an access prohibition check on the request by mapping the request type to one or more access identifiers and an access class. The lower layer will then perform an access prohibition check on the request based on the determined access identifier and access class.

[0067] To determine the requested access identifier and access category, the NAS detects the access reason, the requested service category, and the UE profile including the UE configuration, based on a set of access identifiers and access categories defined in the relevant protocols.

[0068] In order to enable access prohibition checks for access attempts identified by a lower layer with an RRC inactivity indication in 5GMM-CONNECTED mode, the UE provides the applicable access identifier to the lower layer.

[0069] In addition, in related technologies:

[0070] If the UE is in IDLE state and the access attempt is allowed, the UE initiates an initial NAS message;

[0071] If the UE is in IDLE state and access attempts are disabled, the UE will not initiate an initial NAS message. In particular, for IMS services, the UE may attempt to select an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) cell to access the Evolved Packet Core Network (EPC).

[0072] If the UE is in the CONNECTED state and the access attempt is allowed, the UE initiates the corresponding procedure, such as establishing / modifying a PDU session, requesting a policy, etc.

[0073] If the UE is in the CONNECTED state, the UE will not initiate the corresponding procedure until the barring ends.

[0074] In 5G, some signaling messages (such as user plane positioning signaling messages) can be transmitted through user plane channels (such as PDU sessions). However, the network does not control or distinguish these signaling messages transmitted through the user plane. But control plane messages and communication data may have different priorities (such as access control priority), so identifying and distinguishing these signaling messages transmitted through the user plane channel is a problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0075] Furthermore, assuming the signaling of the target service is transmitted through the user plane channel, the network side treats the user plane signaling as data for transmission. However, if at least two target services need to be transmitted through the user plane channel, the network side lacks a corresponding control mechanism. For example, after target service 1 establishes its user plane channel and enters the connected state, the signaling of target service 2 can be directly transmitted through the user plane channel established by target service 1, without a corresponding control mechanism on the network side.

[0076] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the user plane channel refers to the association between the UE and the data network providing PDU connection services, or the channel between the UE and the N6 endpoint (e.g., the PDU Session Anchor (PSA) UPF). Sometimes, it may also be referred to as user plane bearer, user plane connection, user plane association, data channel, data bearer, data connection, or data association, all expressing the same meaning. In some implementations, the user plane channel can be a PDU session, a Quality of Service (QoS) stream, a Packet Data Network (PDN) connection, an Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer, etc.

[0077] The transmission control method, apparatus, and communication equipment provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a flowchart of one of the transmission control methods provided in an embodiment of this application. The method is executed by a first communication device. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes the following steps:

[0079] Step 201: The first communication device acquires the first target information;

[0080] Step 202: The first communication device performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on the first target information.

[0081] The first target information includes at least one of the following: first information, second information, third information for identifying or forwarding data packets, and fourth information for transmission control;

[0082] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service, transmission through the user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, data transmitted through the user plane channel, and target NF information;

[0083] The second information includes at least one of the following: information for indicating prohibition of control, and information for indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed.

[0084] Optionally, the first communication device may be a RAN or a UPF.

[0085] In some implementations, taking the RAN as an example, the RAN acquires first information, such as when the UE establishes a user plane channel with the network side. The RAN acquires the first information and / or the fourth information sent by the UE. The first information indicates at least one of the following: signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, or data transmitted through the user plane channel. Therefore, the RAN can determine whether the UE is transmitting data or signaling through the user plane channel through the first information, which helps the network side perform corresponding transmission control. It should be noted that the RAN can also acquire the first information sent by the NF, but this will not be specifically listed here.

[0086] Optionally, the first information includes target NF information, which includes at least one of the following:

[0087] The identifier of the target NF;

[0088] The set of target NF;

[0089] The Internet Protocol (IP) address of the target NF;

[0090] The port number of the target NF;

[0091] The target NF's fully qualified domain name (FQDN);

[0092] The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the target NF;

[0093] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the target NF;

[0094] The type of the target NF;

[0095] The name of the target NF.

[0096] Understandably, based on the target NF information described above, the first communication device can accurately determine which NF the target NF is, and thus determine whether to perform transmission control. For example, the target NF information includes the name of the target NF, which is called a sensing NF; the first information includes the target service, which is a sensing service; the first communication device can perform transmission control on the sensing service, thereby helping the first communication device to better regulate transmission control behavior.

[0097] In some implementations, the RAN acquires fourth information for transmission control, enabling it to perform transmission control or determine whether to skip transmission control based on this fourth information. For example, if two target services need to be transmitted through the user plane channel, the RAN can perform transmission control based on the fourth information, such as performing transmission control for one target service and determining to skip transmission control for the other target service, for example, allowing the other target service to be transmitted through the user plane channel. Thus, the fourth information clarifies the RAN's control mechanism for the target service, its related data and / or signaling, and the data and / or signaling transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0098] In some implementations, the RAN acquires second information. For example, the second information is barring control information.

[0099] Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following: information for indicating prohibition of control, and information for indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed.

[0100] In this embodiment, the RAN can correctly obtain the information used for prohibition control through the second information, thereby helping the RAN to determine whether transmission control needs to be performed. Of course, the first communication device can also be a UPF, which can also correctly obtain the information used for prohibition control through the second information, helping the UPF to determine whether transmission control needs to be performed.

[0101] Optionally, the first target information includes the second information, and the step of performing transmission control or determining to skip transmission control includes at least one of the following:

[0102] If the second information includes information indicating a prohibition of control, the first communication device performs transmission control;

[0103] If the second information does not include information for indicating prohibition of control or if the second information includes information for indicating that prohibition of control is not to be performed, the first communication device determines to skip transmission control.

[0104] If the second information does not include information indicating prohibition of control or if the second information includes information indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed, the first communication device performs transmission control, wherein the transmission control includes determining whether to allow a transmission attempt.

[0105] For example, taking the first communication device as a RAN, if the second information includes information for indicating prohibition of control, the RAN performs transmission control; if the second information does not include information for indicating prohibition of control or the second information includes information for indicating not to perform prohibition of control, the RAN determines to skip transmission control, or the RAN performs transmission control, the transmission control including determining to allow transmission attempts.

[0106] Understandably, the RAN can correctly obtain the information used for prohibition control through the second information. For example, if the second information indicates that signaling for a target service transmitted through the user plane channel does not require transmission control, and the first information indicates that the signaling is transmitted through the user plane channel, then the RAN can determine to skip transmission control. Alternatively, if the second information indicates that signaling transmitted through the user plane channel requires transmission control, and the first information or the information used for transmission control indicates that the signaling is transmitted through the user plane channel, then the RAN will execute transmission control. Thus, the RAN can determine whether to execute transmission control through the second information, thereby correctly executing network transmission control for signaling and data messages, helping to reduce the impact of congestion on network-side equipment and improve the transmission efficiency of terminal or network functions.

[0107] It should be noted that the first communication device can also be a UPF. The UPF can also determine whether to perform transmission control based on the second information. The specific implementation process can be referred to the above implementation method of RAN performing transmission control based on the second information, which will not be repeated here.

[0108] In some implementations, the first communication device acquires third information for identifying or forwarding data packets, and performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on the third information. For example, the first communication device can identify whether a data packet is signaling or data transmitted through a user plane channel based on the third information, thereby correctly performing transmission control. Alternatively, the first communication device performs transmission control based on the third information for forwarding data packets, such as forwarding the data packet, dropping the data packet, or buffering the data packet.

[0109] Optionally, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0110] Information used to identify data packets;

[0111] Information used to indicate forwarding behavior;

[0112] Information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0113] Information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0114] In some implementations, the information used to identify the data packet includes at least one of the following:

[0115] Source IP address or source IPv6 prefix;

[0116] Destination IP address or source IPv6 prefix;

[0117] Source port number;

[0118] Destination port number;

[0119] Protocol ID of the protocol above the IP / Next header type;

[0120] Type of Service (TOS) (IPv4) or Traffic Class (IPv6) and Mask;

[0121] Flow Label (IPv6)

[0122] Security parameter index;

[0123] Packet filter direction.

[0124] In some implementations, the information used to indicate forwarding behavior indicates at least one of the following: forwarded, duplicated, dropped, or buffered.

[0125] In some implementations, the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel may be protocol description information. For example, the transmission signaling protocol stack between each NF and UE is different from the transmission data protocol stack. The information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel can determine whether the data packet is or is not signaling transmitted through the user plane channel based on the protocol description information in the data packet (i.e., the transmission signaling protocol stack is different from the transmission data protocol stack).

[0126] In some implementations, the information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel can be protocol description information. For example, the transmission signaling protocol stack between each NF and the UE is different from the protocol stack for transmitting data. The information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel can determine whether the data packet is transmitted through the user plane channel or not based on the protocol description information in the data packet (i.e., the transmission signaling protocol stack is different from the protocol stack for transmitting data).

[0127] In some implementations, the NF can set the Protocol ID of the protocol above IP / Next header type in the information used to identify the data packet to the transport protocol between the NF and the UE, thereby distinguishing whether the data packet is data transmitted through the user plane channel or signaling transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0128] Understandably, based on the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, the first communication device (e.g., UPF) determines whether a data packet is or is not signaling transmitted through the user plane channel in order to correctly perform transmission control.

[0129] Understandably, based on information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel, the first communication device (e.g., UPF) determines whether a data packet is or is not transmitted through the user plane channel in order to correctly perform transmission control.

[0130] Optionally, in this embodiment of the application, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0131] Information used to determine the execution of transmission control;

[0132] Information used to determine when to skip transmission control;

[0133] Access identifier;

[0134] Access type;

[0135] Random numbers;

[0136] Second cause value.

[0137] It is understood that when the fourth information includes information for determining whether to perform transmission control, the first communication device performs transmission control; when the fourth information includes information for determining whether to skip transmission control, the first communication device determines to skip transmission control. Thus, the first communication device can determine whether transmission control needs to be performed based on the fourth information, which helps reduce the impact of congestion on network-side devices and improves the transmission efficiency of terminal or network functions.

[0138] In some implementations, the fourth information includes access identities. Optionally, the access identities are used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0139] The terminal is configured with the target service;

[0140] The terminal is configured for user plane channel transmission;

[0141] The terminal is configured with Multimedia Priority Service (MPS);

[0142] The terminal is configured with a critical business service (MCS);

[0143] The terminal is configured to have disaster recovery conditions enabled;

[0144] The terminal is not configured with the primary service;

[0145] Wherein, the terminal not being configured with the first service refers to the terminal not being configured with any of the following: target service, user channel plane transmission, MPS, MCS, and disaster conditions being in effect.

[0146] In this embodiment of the application, the target service includes at least one of the following:

[0147] Services supported by terminals or mobile communication systems (such as 6G mobile communication systems (6GS) and their subsequent evolution);

[0148] The service that initiates an access attempt;

[0149] The service that initiates a transmission attempt.

[0150] In some implementations, the target service is the service that initiates the access attempt. This can be understood as the target service needing to initiate an access attempt when the UE needs to perform the target service.

[0151] In some implementations, the target service may include at least one of the following: mobility management service, session management service, service management service, connection management service, computing management service, data management service, algorithm management service, signaling management service, policy management service, data management service, PDU service, short message service, policy service, location service, computing service, sensing service, AI service, data service, multimedia service, immersive service, security service, mission service, Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) service, energy saving service, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) service, slicing service, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) service, and PC5 service.

[0152] It is understood that the fourth information includes an access identifier, which can indicate the UE configuration. For example, different access identifiers correspond to different UE configurations. For instance, access identifier 1 indicates that the UE is configured with MPS, access identifier 2 indicates that the UE is configured with MCS, access identifier 3 indicates that the UE is configured with disaster recovery conditions enabled, access identifier 4 indicates that the UE is configured with a target service, access identifier 5 indicates that the UE is configured with user plane channel transmission, and access identifier 0 indicates that the UE is not configured with the first service. Therefore, the first communication device can learn about the UE configuration based on the fourth information, and thus the first communication device can determine whether to perform transmission control based on the first identifier, which helps the first communication device better understand transmission control behavior. For example, if the access identifier indicates that the UE is configured with user plane channel transmission, the first communication device determines to perform transmission control based on this access identifier.

[0153] Optionally, the access type includes at least one of the following:

[0154] The terminal responds to downlink signaling from the network side;

[0155] Delay tolerance;

[0156] Emergency services;

[0157] Signaling initiated by the terminal;

[0158] Multimedia voice calls initiated by the terminal;

[0159] Multimedia video calls initiated by the terminal;

[0160] Short Message Service (SMS) initiated by the terminal;

[0161] Terminal-initiated IP-based SMS (SMS over IP, SMSoIP);

[0162] Data initiated by the terminal;

[0163] Registration-related signalling initiated by the terminal for International Mobile Subscriber (IMS) registration;

[0164] Exception data initiated by the terminal.

[0165] Target service signaling;

[0166] Target business data;

[0167] Signaling transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0168] Data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0169] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "initiated by the terminal" can also be understood as "initiated by the mobile terminal" (Mobile originate, MO). Examples include mobile terminal-initiated signaling (MO_sig), mobile terminal-initiated multimedia voice call (MO MMTel voice), mobile terminal-initiated multimedia video call (MO MMTel video), mobile terminal-initiated SMS (MO SMS), terminal-initiated IP-based SMS (MO SMSoIP), mobile terminal-initiated data (MO_data), mobile terminal-initiated IMS registration related signaling (MO IMS registration related signaling), and mobile terminal-initiated exception data (MO exception data).

[0170] In this embodiment, the fourth information may include an access type, the contents of which are as described above. Based on the access type, the first communication device can determine which services the UE is initiating, thus helping the first communication device determine whether to perform transmission control and better understand transmission control behavior. For example, if the access type includes signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, the first communication device can determine to perform transmission control on the signaling transmitted through the user plane channel based on the access type.

[0171] In some implementations, the fourth information includes a second cause value, which is used to indicate the behavior of the terminal or to instruct the first communication device to perform transmission control or determine the reason for skipping transmission control.

[0172] Optionally, the second cause value indicates at least one of the following:

[0173] MPS Priority Access;

[0174] MCS Priority Access;

[0175] High-priority access;

[0176] Mobile Terminate Access (mt-Access);

[0177] Emergency services;

[0178] Terminal-initiated signaling (mo-Signalling);

[0179] A voice call initiated by the terminal (mo-VoiceCall);

[0180] Terminal-initiated short message service (mo-SMS);

[0181] Data initiated by the terminal (mo-Data);

[0182] Target service signaling initiated by the terminal;

[0183] Target service data initiated by the terminal;

[0184] Target NF signaling initiated by the terminal;

[0185] Target NF data initiated by the terminal;

[0186] Signaling transmitted via the user plane channel initiated by the terminal;

[0187] Data transmitted via the user plane channel initiated by the terminal.

[0188] In some implementations, the fourth information includes a random number, and the first communication device determines whether to perform transmission control based on the random number.

[0189] Exemplarily, taking the first communication device as the RAN, when the RAN determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it can randomly generate a random number N, the UE generates a random number M, and sends the generated random number M to the RAN. If M > N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel, otherwise the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the RAN side, it can also be that when M < N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel, otherwise the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel.

[0190] For another example, when the RAN determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it can randomly generate a random number N. In addition, the RAN stores a random number M locally. If M > N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel, otherwise the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the RAN side, it can also be that when M < N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel, otherwise the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. For example, if the RAN needs to control only 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, the locally stored random number M = 0.7. If the random number N generated by the RAN > 0.7, the RAN allows the UE to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Of course, the random number M can also be dynamically configured based on the situation of the NF. For example, when the sensing function decides to only allow 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, M = 0.7 is sent to the RAN, and then the RAN performs dynamic transmission control.

[0191] In the embodiments of this application, the first communication device obtains first target information, and performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control according to the first target information. The first target information includes at least one of first information, second information for prohibiting control, third information for identifying or forwarding data packets, and fourth information for transmission control. The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service; transmission through the user plane channel; signaling related to the target service; data related to the target service; signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; data transmitted through the user plane channel; target NF information. Thus, according to the first target information, the first communication device can clarify the information for prohibiting control, the information for transmission control, the information for identifying or forwarding data packets, and the target NF, the signaling and / or data related to the target service, the signaling and / or data transmitted through the user plane channel. The first communication device can clarify whether the signaling or data transmitted through the user plane channel is related to the target service. This helps the first communication device clarify whether to perform transmission control, so as to correctly perform the transmission control of signaling messages and data messages by the network, which helps reduce the impact of congestion on network-side devices and improve the transmission efficiency of the terminal or network function.

[0192] Optionally, the first communication device performs transmission control, including:

[0193] The first communication device determines whether to allow or disallow the transmission attempt.

[0194] For example, if the first communication device performs transmission control based on the first target information, then the first communication device allows the transmission attempt. For instance, if the first target information includes the second information, and the second information does not include information indicating prohibition control or includes information indicating that prohibition control should not be performed, the first communication device determines to allow the transmission attempt, thereby enabling the UE or network function to attempt to transmit data and / or signaling, which helps improve the transmission efficiency of the terminal or network function.

[0195] Alternatively, the first communication device performs transmission control based on the first target information, and the first communication device does not allow transmission attempts, thereby enabling the first communication device to restrict the UE from transmitting signaling and / or data, and to dynamically control the UE's transmission behavior through the first communication device.

[0196] Optionally, the first communication device acquiring the first target information includes at least one of the following:

[0197] The first communication device acquires the first information from the terminal;

[0198] The first communication device acquires the second information from the second communication device;

[0199] The first communication device obtains the second information through the user plane GPRS tunneling protocol GTP-U header;

[0200] The first communication device obtains the first information through access layer AS messages;

[0201] The first communication device obtains the second information based on information from the second communication device;

[0202] The first communication device acquires the first information from NF;

[0203] The first communication device acquires the third information from the third communication device;

[0204] The first communication device acquires the fourth information based on the second target information;

[0205] The second target information includes at least one of the following:

[0206] Peer protocol messages between the terminal and the NF;

[0207] The peer-to-peer protocol messages between the first communication device and the terminal;

[0208] Quality of Service (QoS) flow information.

[0209] In some implementations, for example, the terminal establishes a user plane channel with the network side, and the first communication device (e.g., RAN) obtains the first information sent by the terminal.

[0210] In some implementations, the RAN or UPF (first communication device) acquires the first information sent by the NF.

[0211] In some implementations, the first communication device obtains the first information through the Access Stratum (AS).

[0212] In some implementations, the first communication device acquires the second information sent from the core network device (the second communication device), for example, the RAN or UPF (the first communication device) acquires the second information sent by the NF.

[0213] In some implementations, the first communication device obtains the second information based on information from the second communication device. For example, when the network load is high or the network power consumption is high, the RAN (first communication device) obtains the second information based on information from the second communication device (e.g., NF, AMF).

[0214] In some implementations, the first communication device obtains the second information through the GPRS Tunneling Protocol-User Plane (GTP-U) header, that is, the second information may be carried or written in the GTP-U header.

[0215] In some implementations, the first communication device acquires the third information sent by the third communication device, for example, the UPF acquires the third information sent by the SMF.

[0216] In some implementations, the first communication device obtains the fourth information based on the second target information. For example, the UPF obtains the fourth information based on at least one of the following: peer-to-peer protocol messages between the terminal and the NF, peer-to-peer protocol messages between the UPF and the terminal, and QoS flow information. In some implementations, the QoS information includes at least one of the following: QoS flow identifier and priority information. In some implementations, the QoS flow information for different target services is different. For example, the QoS flow information for target service 1 is QFI=1, and the QoS flow information for target service 2 is QFI=2. Then, the first communication device can obtain the fourth information based on whether the QoS flow information QFI=1 or QFI=2.

[0217] In this embodiment of the application, the first communication device can acquire at least one of the first information, the second information, the third information and the fourth information in the manner described above, making the way in which the first communication device acquires the first target information more flexible.

[0218] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0219] If the first condition is met, the first communication device sends information indicating a transmission failure;

[0220] The first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0221] The transmission control does not allow transmission attempts;

[0222] The transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0223] The transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0224] The transmission control does not allow the target service;

[0225] The transmission control does not allow signaling related to the target service;

[0226] The transmission control does not allow data related to the target service;

[0227] The transmission control does not allow signaling from the target NF;

[0228] The transmission control does not allow data from the target NF.

[0229] Understandably, when the first condition is met, the first communication device sends information indicating transmission failure, such as the RAN or UPF sending information indicating transmission failure to the terminal or NF. Thus, the terminal or NF can be aware of the transmission failure, such as the failure of signaling or data transmission through the user plane channel, or the failure of signaling or data transmission related to the target service. This helps the terminal or NF adjust its transmission behavior according to the transmission failure, such as stopping the transmission, to save energy consumption of the terminal or NF.

[0230] Optionally, the information indicating transmission failure includes a first reason value, which indicates at least one of the following: transmission not allowed, access not allowed, transmission control failure, or transmission control not allowed. Understandably, based on the first reason value, the communication device (e.g., a terminal) that obtains the first reason value can also determine the reason for the transmission failure. This helps the communication device to identify which target services, target NFs, and data and / or signaling are not allowed to be transmitted, and also to determine whether signaling and / or data transmission through the user plane channel is permitted. This allows the communication device to adjust its transmission behavior, such as stopping transmission, which helps save energy and optimize transmission behavior.

[0231] To better understand the technical solution provided in this application, the transmission control method provided in this application will be described below through specific implementation methods.

[0232] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a second flowchart of a transmission control method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps:

[0233] Step 301: The UE establishes a user plane channel with the network side.

[0234] In the embodiments of this application, the user plane channel refers to the association between the UE and the data network providing PDU connection services, or the channel between the UE and an N6 endpoint (e.g., PSAUPF). Sometimes, it may also be referred to as user plane bearer, user plane connection, user plane association, data channel, data bearer, data connection, or data association, all expressing the same meaning. In some implementations, the user plane channel can be a PDU session, QoS stream, PDN connection, EPS bearer, etc.

[0235] Step 302: The UE needs to send signaling or data to the NF through the user plane channel.

[0236] In some implementations, the UE sends signaling to the NF through the user plane channel. This can be understood as the UE and the NF having a peer-to-peer protocol, and the UE sending control signaling for the peer-to-peer protocol to the NF through the user plane channel. For example, if the NF can be an AIoT function (e.g., AIoTF), then the UE sending signaling to the NF through the user plane channel can be understood as the UE sending control signaling for the AIoT protocol to the AIoT function through the user plane channel.

[0237] Optionally, the UE sends at least one of the following to the RAN: first information and fourth information for transmission control.

[0238] Wherein, the first information indicates at least one of the following: signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; data transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0239] Optionally, the fourth information for transmission control includes at least one of the following: information for determining whether to perform transmission control, information for determining whether to skip performing transmission control, access identifier, access type, second cause value, and random number.

[0240] Optionally, the access identifier includes at least one of the following: the UE is not configured with other services; the terminal is configured for MPS; the terminal is configured for MCS; the terminal is configured for disaster conditions to take effect; the UE is configured with a target service; or the UE is configured for user plane channel transmission.

[0241] It is understood that the statement that the UE is not configured with other services means that the UE is not configured with any of the following: MPS, MCS, disaster condition activation, target service, or user plane channel transmission.

[0242] In some implementations, the UE may indicate at least one of the first information and the fourth information for transmission control in the message header of the AS message (e.g., the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) header).

[0243] Optionally, the access type includes at least one of the following:

[0244] The terminal responds to downlink signaling from the network side;

[0245] Delay tolerance;

[0246] Emergency services;

[0247] Signaling initiated by the terminal;

[0248] Multimedia voice calls initiated by the terminal;

[0249] Multimedia video calls initiated by the terminal;

[0250] Short message service initiated by the terminal;

[0251] IP-based SMS initiated by the terminal;

[0252] Data initiated by the terminal;

[0253] Terminal-initiated IMS registration-related signalling;

[0254] Abnormal data initiated by the terminal;

[0255] Target service signaling;

[0256] Target service data;

[0257] Signaling transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0258] Data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0259] Optionally, the second cause value indicates at least one of the following:

[0260] MPS priority access;

[0261] MCS priority access;

[0262] High-priority access;

[0263] Terminal-terminated access;

[0264] Emergency service;

[0265] Terminal-originated signaling;<W

[0266] Terminal-originated voice call;

[0267] Terminal-originated short message service;

[0268] Terminal-originated data;

[0269] Terminal-originated target service signaling;

[0270] Terminal-originated target service data;

[0271] Terminal-originated target NF signaling;

[0272] Terminal-originated target NF data;

[0273] Terminal-originated signaling transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0274] Terminal-originated data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0275] In some embodiments, when the RAN determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it can randomly generate a random number N, the UE generates a random number M, and the UE sends the generated random number M to the RAN. If M > N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the RAN side, the UE can also be allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel when M < N; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel.

[0276] In some embodiments, when the RAN determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it can randomly generate a random number N. In addition, the RAN locally stores a random number M. If M > N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the RAN side, the UE can also be allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel when M < N, and vice versa. For example, if the RAN needs to control only 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, the locally stored random number M = 0.7. If the randomly generated number N by the RAN > 0.7, the RAN allows the UE to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Of course, the random number M can also be dynamically configured based on the situation of the NF. For example, when the sensing function determines that only 30% of the UEs are allowed to access the sensing function, M = 0.7 is sent to the RAN, and then the RAN performs dynamic transmission control.

[0277] In the embodiments of the present application, the target service refers to a service supported by the UE or a mobile communication system (such as a 6G mobile communication system (6GS) and its subsequent evolved mobile communication systems), or a service that initiates an access attempt. In some embodiments, the target service is a service that initiates an access attempt. It can be understood that when the UE needs to perform the target service, the target service needs to initiate an access attempt. In some embodiments, the target service may include at least one of the following: mobility management service, session management service, service management service, connection management service, computing management service, data management service, algorithm management service, signaling management service, policy management service, data management service, PDU service, short message service, policy service, positioning service, computing service, sensing service, AI service, data service, multimedia service, immersive service, security service, task service, AIoT service, energy saving service, NTN service, slice service, V2X service, PC5 service.

[0278] Optionally, the method further includes: the RAN obtains second information, and the second information indicates control for prohibition.

[0279] Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following: information for indicating control for prohibition; information for indicating non - execution of control for prohibition. It can be understood that when the second information includes information for indicating control for prohibition, the RAN determines to perform transmission control. When the second information does not include information for indicating control for prohibition, or when the second information includes information for indicating non - execution of control for prohibition, the RAN determines to skip transmission control.

[0280] Optionally, the second information is barring control information.

[0281] Understandably, the RAN can correctly determine the information used for prohibition control through the second information. For example, if the second information indicates that signaling for a target service transmitted through the user plane channel does not require transmission control, and the first information indicates that the signaling is transmitted through the user plane channel, then the RAN can determine to skip transmission control. Alternatively, if the second information indicates that signaling transmitted through the user plane channel requires transmission control, and the first information or the information used for transmission control indicates that the signaling is transmitted through the user plane channel, then the RAN determines to execute transmission control.

[0282] Optionally, the RAN obtains the second information by at least one of the following: the RAN obtains the second information based on information from the core network side device (second communication device); the RAN obtains the second information from the core network side device.

[0283] Understandably, when network load is high, the network can restrict access attempts from UEs to avoid overload. In this case, the RAN can obtain second information from core network side devices (e.g., heavily loaded NFs or AMFs), or determine the second information based on information from the core network side devices. For example, when the sensing function is under high load, it can obtain information from the RAN that requires restricting UE access, or it can obtain information from other NFs (e.g., AMFs) that requires restricting UE access (e.g., indicating that the NF is under high load, indicating that UE access should be restricted). The RAN then determines the second information, meaning the information from the core network side devices is the information for restricting UE access (e.g., indicating that the NF is under high load, indicating that UE access should be restricted). Alternatively, when the sensing function is under high load, it can also directly provide the third information to the RAN, meaning the RAN obtains the second information from the sensing function.

[0284] Step 303: The RAN performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on at least one of the first information and the fourth information for transmission control.

[0285] Understandably, some services do not require transmission control. For example, when a UE responds to a paging request triggered by the network side to perform a sensing service, transmission control is not required. In this case, the RAN can determine to skip transmission control based on the first information indicating the sensing service.

[0286] Step 304a: If it is determined that transmission control is to be executed and the transmission control allows signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is to be executed and the transmission control allows data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is to be skipped, the RAN sends the signaling or data transmitted by the UE through the user plane channel to the NF. It is understood that the RAN can send signaling or data directly to the NF through a channel established between the RAN and the NF (e.g., AP interface, service interface), or it can send signaling or data to the NF through a user plane function (e.g., UPF), and this is not limited in this implementation.

[0287] In step 304b, if it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, the RAN sends information to the UE to indicate a transmission failure.

[0288] Optionally, the RAN sends a first cause value to the UE, wherein the information indicating transmission failure includes the first cause value, which indicates the reason for the transmission failure. In some embodiments, the first cause value indicates at least one of the following: access not allowed, transmission not allowed, transmission control failure, and transmission control not allowed.

[0289] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart of a transmission control method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps:

[0290] Step 401: The UE establishes a user plane channel with the network side.

[0291] Step 402: UPF obtains third information, which is used to identify or forward data packets.

[0292] Optionally, the third information includes at least one of the following: information for identifying data packets; information for indicating forwarding behavior; information for identifying signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; and information for identifying data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0293] In some implementations, the information used to identify the data packet includes at least one of the following:

[0294] Source / destination IP address or IPv6 prefix;

[0295] Source / destination port number;

[0296] Protocol ID of the protocol above IP / Next header type;

[0297] Type of Service(TOS)(IPv4) / Traffic class(IPv6)and Mask;

[0298] Flow Label (IPv6);

[0299] Security parameter index;

[0300] Packet filter direction.

[0301] In some implementations, the information used to indicate forwarding behavior indicates at least one of the following: forwarded, duplicated, dropped, or buffered.

[0302] In some implementations, the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel may be protocol description information. For example, the transmission signaling protocol stack between each NF and UE is different from the transmission data protocol stack. The information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel can determine whether the data packet is or is not signaling transmitted through the user plane channel based on the protocol description information in the data packet (i.e., the transmission signaling protocol stack is different from the transmission data protocol stack).

[0303] In some implementations, the information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel can be protocol description information. For example, the transmission signaling protocol stack between each NF and the UE is different from the protocol stack for transmitting data. The information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel can determine whether the data packet is transmitted through the user plane channel or not based on the protocol description information in the data packet (i.e., the transmission signaling protocol stack is different from the protocol stack for transmitting data).

[0304] In some implementations, the NF can set the Protocol ID of the protocol above IP / Next header type in the information used to identify the data packet to the transport protocol between the NF and the UE, thereby distinguishing whether the data packet is data transmitted through the user plane channel or signaling transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0305] Understandably, based on the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, the UPF determines whether a data packet is or is not signaling transmitted through the user plane channel in order to correctly perform transmission control.

[0306] Understandably, based on the information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel, the UPF determines whether a data packet is or is not transmitted through the user plane channel in order to correctly perform transmission control.

[0307] There are three possible methods for UPF to obtain information used for transmission control.

[0308] Method 1:

[0309] Step 403: The UE sends signaling or data to the NF through the user plane channel.

[0310] In some implementations, the UE can set the Protocol ID of the protocol above IP / Next header type of the data packet to the transport protocol between the NF and the UE, thereby distinguishing whether the data packet is data transmitted through the user plane channel or signaling transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0311] In some implementations, the protocol stack messages between the UE and the NF contain information indicating or describing the protocol stack messages. For example, a sensing protocol stack is used between the UE and the sensing function, and an AIoT protocol stack is used between the UE and the AIoT function. Both the sensing protocol stack and the AIoT protocol stack message headers contain information indicating or describing the protocol stack message, such as indicating that the message is an AIoT protocol message or a sensing protocol message. Further, it can indicate that the message is signaling or data of an AIoT protocol message, or it can indicate that the message is signaling or data of a sensing protocol message.

[0312] In some implementations, different NFs may correspond to different QoS flows. The UPF can distinguish whether a data packet is transmitted through the user plane channel or not, and whether it is signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, based on QoS flow information such as the QoS flow ID (QFI) and QoS class identifier (QCI). For example, if a sensing service has a dedicated QFI, the UPF can also determine whether a data packet is transmitted through the user plane channel or not, and whether it is signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, based on the QoS flow transmitted by the data packet.

[0313] In some implementations, the third information includes information for identifying data packets. The UPF can perform transmission control based on this information. For example, if the information for identifying the data packet is an IP address, the UPF can use the second information to determine which control is prohibited, such as which network service nodes (NFs) require UE access restriction, which NFs are congested, etc. Therefore, the UPF can perform access control based on the destination IP address of the data packet. For instance, if the sensing function is congested and UE access needs to be restricted, the UPF, upon receiving a destination IP address that is a sensing function, will perform access control, for example, by setting the information indicating forwarding behavior to buffer or discard.

[0314] Step 404: UPF performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on the third information.

[0315] It is understandable that some services do not require transmission control. For example, a UE responding to a paging request triggered by the network side to perform a sensing service does not require transmission control. In this case, the UPF can determine to skip transmission control based on the information used for transmission control to indicate the sensing service.

[0316] Optionally, the UPF performs transmission control based on third information, including at least one of the following:

[0317] If the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the signaling is transmitted through the user plane channel, or if the information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the data is not transmitted through the user plane channel, then it is determined to perform transmission control.

[0318] If the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the signaling is not transmitted through the user plane channel, or if the information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the data is transmitted through the user plane channel, it is determined to skip transmission control.

[0319] In some embodiments, when the UPF determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it may randomly generate a random number N. In addition, the UPF stores a random number M locally. If M > N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the UPF side, the UE may also be allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel when M < N, and vice versa. For example, if the UPF needs to control only 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, the locally stored random number M = 0.7. If the random number N generated by the UPF > 0.7, the UPF allows the UE to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Of course, the random number M can also be dynamically configured based on the situation of the NF. For example, when the sensing function determines that only 30% of the UEs are allowed to access the sensing function, M = 0.7 is sent to the UPF, and then the UPF performs dynamic transmission control.

[0320] Method 2:

[0321] Step 405: The UE sends at least one of the following to the RAN: the first information; the fourth information for transmission control.

[0322] e Wherein, the first information indicates at least one of the following: signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; data transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0323] The description of step 405 can be referred to step 302 in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

[0324] Step 406: The RAN sends at least one of the following to the UPF: the first information; the fourth information for transmission control.

[0325] In some embodiments, the RAN sends at least one of the first information and the information for transmission control to the UPF through the GTP-U header.

[0326] It can be understood that when the UE transmits NF signaling through the user plane channel, it may provide at least one of the first information and the fourth information for transmission control to the AS layer of the UE. Based on this, the AS layer of the UE can mark the data sent by the UE and indicate it to the RAN. For example, at least one of the first information and the fourth information for transmission control is indicated in the header of the AS message (such as the SDAP header). After the RAN receives at least one of the first information and the fourth information for transmission control from the UE, it can indicate to the user plane function, for example, mark and indicate through the GTP-U header, so that the user plane function can correctly perform transmission control.

[0327] Step 407: The UPF performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on at least one of the third information, the first information, and the fourth information for transmission control.

[0328] It can be understood that there are some services that do not require transmission control. For example, when the UE responds to paging triggered by the network side to perform a sensing service, transmission control is not required. At this time, the UPF can determine to skip transmission control based on the fourth information for transmission control to indicate the sensing service.

[0329] In some embodiments, when the UPF determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it can randomly generate a random number N. In addition, the UPF stores a random number M locally. If M > N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the UPF side, it can also be that when M < N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. For example, if the UPF needs to control only 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, the locally stored random number M = 0.7. If the random number N generated by the UPF > 0.7, the UPF allows the UE to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Of course, the random number M can also be dynamically configured based on the situation of the NF. For example, when the sensing function decides to only allow 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, M = 0.7 is sent to the UPF, and then the UPF performs dynamic transmission control.

[0330] Method 3:

[0331] Step 408: The UE sends signaling or data to the NF through the user plane channel.

[0332] Optionally, the method further includes: The UE indicates at least one of the following to the UPF: information for indicating signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; information for indicating data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0333] In some embodiments, the UE can set the Protocol ID of the protocol above IP / Next header type of the data packet to the transmission protocol between the NF and the UE, so as to distinguish whether the data packet is data transmitted through the user plane channel or signaling transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0334] In some implementations, the protocol stack messages between the UE and the NF include information indicating or describing the protocol stack messages. For example, a sensing protocol stack is used between the UE and a sensing function, and an AIoT protocol stack is used between the UE and an AIoT function. Both the sensing protocol stack and the AIoT protocol stack message headers contain information indicating or describing the protocol stack message, such as indicating that the message is an AIoT protocol message or a sensing protocol message. Further, the information indicating or describing the protocol stack message may indicate that the message is signaling or data of an AIoT protocol message, or it may indicate that the message is signaling or data of a sensing protocol message.

[0335] In some implementations, there is a peer protocol layer between the UE and the UPF, and the UE can indicate at least one of the following in the protocol stack message header between the UE and the UPF: information for indicating signaling transmitted through the user plane channel and information for indicating data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0336] Optionally, the method further includes: the UE sending transmission control information to the UPF, the transmission control information being described in the method embodiment of FIG3.

[0337] In some implementations, there is a peer protocol layer between the UE and the UPF, and the UE can carry fourth information for transmission control in the protocol stack message header between the UE and the UPF.

[0338] Step 409: The UPF performs transmission control based on at least one of the following: third information, information indicating signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, information indicating data transmitted through the user plane channel, and fourth information for transmission control.

[0339] It is understandable that some services do not require transmission control. For example, a UE responding to a paging request triggered by the network side to perform a sensing service does not require transmission control. In this case, the UPF can determine to skip transmission control based on the information used for transmission control to indicate the sensing service.

[0340] In some embodiments, when the UPF determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it may randomly generate a random number N. In addition, the UPF stores a random number M locally. If M > N, the UE is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the UPF side, the UE may also be allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel when M < N, and vice versa. For example, if the UPF needs to control only 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, the locally stored random number M = 0.7. If the random number N generated by the UPF > 0.7, the UPF allows the UE to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Of course, the random number M can also be dynamically configured based on the situation of the NF. For example, when the sensing function determines that only 30% of the UEs are allowed to access the sensing function, M = 0.7 is sent to the UPF, and then the UPF performs dynamic transmission control.

[0341] Optionally, the method further includes: the UPF obtains second information for prohibition control. The description of the second information can refer to the description in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0342] Step 410a: When it is determined to perform transmission control and the transmission control allows signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or when it is determined to perform transmission control and the transmission control allows data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or when it is determined to skip transmission control, the UPF sends a corresponding data packet (signaling / data) to the NF.

[0343] Step 410b: When it is determined to perform transmission control and the transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or when it is determined to perform transmission control and the transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, the UPF sends information indicating transmission failure to the UE.

[0344] Optionally, the UPF sends a first cause value, and the information indicating transmission failure includes the first cause value, and the first cause value indicates the cause of transmission failure. In some embodiments, the third cause value indicates at least one of the following: transmission not allowed, access not allowed, transmission control failure, transmission control not allowed.

[0345] Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a fourth flowchart of a transmission control method provided by the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0346] Step 501: The RAN obtains second information.

[0347] Wherein, the description of the second information can refer to the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0348] Optionally, the RAN obtains the second information by at least one of the following: the RAN obtains the second information based on information from the core network side equipment; the RAN obtains the second information from the core network side equipment.

[0349] Understandably, when network load is high, the network can restrict access attempts from UEs to avoid overload. In this case, the RAN can obtain second information from core network side devices (e.g., NFs, AMFs, SMFs, PCFs, etc., with high load), or determine the second information based on information from core network side devices (e.g., NFs, AMFs, SMFs, PCFs, etc., with high load). For example, when the sensing function is under high load, it can provide the RAN with information requiring UE access restriction, or the sensing function can provide the RAN with information requiring UE access restriction through other NFs (e.g., AMFs) (e.g., indicating that the NF is under high load, indicating UE access restriction, etc.). The RAN then determines the second information, meaning the information from the core network side devices is the information for restricting UE access (e.g., indicating that the NF is under high load, indicating UE access restriction, etc.). Alternatively, when the sensing function is under high load, it can also directly provide the second information to the RAN, meaning the RAN obtains the second information from the sensing function. In other implementations, the management functions of the core network side devices, such as SMFs and PCFs, can inform the RAN of NFs experiencing congestion.

[0350] Step 502: NF sends the first message to RAN.

[0351] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service; transmission via user plane channel; signaling related to the target service; data related to the target service; signaling transmitted via user plane channel; data transmitted via user plane channel; target NF information.

[0352] In some implementations, the NF sends first information to the RAN when sending NF signaling or NF data to the UE.

[0353] In some implementations, the NF sends NF signaling or NF data to the UE through other network functions (such as AMF), and the AMF can carry the first information in the message header of the NG Application Protocol (NGAP) message.

[0354] In some implementations, the NF and RAN have a direct connection interface (e.g., a service interface or an AP interface), in which case the NF can carry the first information in the message of the direct connection interface (e.g., a service message or the header of the AP protocol stack).

[0355] In some implementations, the NF communicates with the UE via a user plane channel. The NF can indicate to a user plane function (e.g., UPF) that the user plane function carries the first information in the header of a GTP-U message and instructs the RAN.

[0356] Step 503: Based on at least one of the second information and the first information, the RAN performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control.

[0357] Understandably, based on the first information, the RAN can determine that the access attempt is for at least one of the following: signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, and data transmitted through the user plane channel, and thus correctly perform transmission control.

[0358] Understandably, some services do not require transmission control. For example, a UE responding to a paging request triggered by the network does not require transmission control. In this case, the RAN can determine to skip transmission control based on the first information indicating the sensing service.

[0359] Step 504a: If it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control allows signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control allows data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, the RAN sends the signaling or data transmitted through the user plane channel by the NF to the UE.

[0360] Step 504b: If it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, the RAN sends information to the NF indicating a transmission failure.

[0361] Optionally, the RAN sends a first reason value to the NF, the first reason value indicating the reason for the transmission failure. In some implementations, the second reason value indicates at least one of the following: transmission not allowed, access not allowed, transmission control failure, or transmission control not allowed.

[0362] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a fifth flowchart of a transmission control method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps:

[0363] Step 601: The UE establishes a user plane channel with the network side.

[0364] Step 602: The UPF obtains third information, which is used to identify or forward data packets. A description of the third information can be found in the foregoing embodiments.

[0365] Optionally, the method further includes: the UPF acquiring second information, the second information indicating whether control is disabled. A description of the second information can be found in the foregoing embodiments.

[0366] Regarding how UPF performs transmission control, there are two optional methods:

[0367] Method 1:

[0368] Step 603: The NF sends signaling or data to the UE through the user plane channel.

[0369] In some implementations, the NF can set the Protocol ID of the protocol above IP / Next header type of the data packet to the transport protocol between the NF and the UE, thereby distinguishing whether the data packet is data transmitted through the user plane channel or signaling transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0370] In some implementations, the protocol stack messages between the UE and the NF contain information indicating or describing the protocol stack messages. For example, a sensing protocol stack is used between the UE and the sensing function, and an AIoT protocol stack is used between the UE and the AIoT function. Both the sensing protocol stack and the AIoT protocol stack message headers contain information indicating or describing the protocol stack message, such as indicating that the message is an AIoT protocol message or a sensing protocol message. Further, it can indicate that the message is signaling or data of an AIoT protocol message, or it can indicate that the message is signaling or data of a sensing protocol message.

[0371] Step 604: UPF performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on the third information.

[0372] Optionally, the UPF performs transmission control based on third information, including at least one of the following:

[0373] If the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the signaling is transmitted through the user plane channel, or if the information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the data is not transmitted through the user plane channel, then it is determined to perform transmission control.

[0374] If the information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the signaling is not transmitted through the user plane channel, or if the information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel indicates that the data is transmitted through the user plane channel, it is determined to skip transmission control.

[0375] In some embodiments, when the UPF determines that transmission control needs to be performed, it can randomly generate a random number N. In addition, the UPF stores a random number M locally. If M > N, the NF is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the UE is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the UPF side, the UE can also be allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel when M < N, and conversely, the NF is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. For example, if the UPF needs to control only 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, the locally stored random number M = 0.7. If the random number N generated by the UPF > 0.7, the UPF allows the NF to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Of course, the random number M can also be dynamically configured based on the situation of the NF. For example, when the sensing function decides to only allow 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, M = 0.7 is sent to the UPF, and then the UPF performs dynamic transmission control.

[0376] In some embodiments, the third information includes information for identifying a data packet, and the UPF can perform transmission control based on the information for identifying the data packet. Taking the information for identifying the data packet as the IP address as an example, the UPF can obtain the information on prohibited control through the second information. For example, which NFs need to restrict the access of the UE, which NFs are congested, etc. Therefore, the UPF can perform control access based on the destination IP of the data packet. For example, when the sensing function is congested and needs to restrict the access of the UE, the UPF performs control access when it receives that the destination IP address is the sensing function. For example, the information for indicating the forwarding behavior is set to cache or discard.

[0377] Method 2:

[0378] Step 605: The NF sends signaling or data to the NF through the user plane channel.

[0379] Optionally, the method further includes: The NF indicates at least one of the following to the UPF: information for indicating the signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; information for indicating the data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0380] In some embodiments, the NF can set the Protocol ID of the protocol above IP / Next header type of the data packet as the transmission protocol between the NF and the UE, so as to distinguish whether the data packet is data transmitted through the user plane channel or signaling transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0381] In some embodiments, the protocol stack messages between the UE and the NF have information for indicating or describing the protocol stack messages. For example, a sensing protocol stack is used between the UE and the sensing function, and an AIoT protocol stack is used between the UE and the AIoT function. The message headers of both the sensing protocol stack and the AIoT protocol stack contain information for indicating or describing the protocol stack messages. For example, it indicates that the message is an AIoT protocol message or a sensing protocol message. Further, the information for indicating or describing the protocol stack message can indicate that the message is a signaling or data of the AIoT protocol message, or indicate that the message is a signaling or data of the sensing protocol message.

[0382] In some embodiments, there is a peer protocol layer between the UPF and the NF. The NF can indicate at least one of the following to the UPF at the peer protocol layer between the NF and the UPF: information for indicating the signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; information for indicating the data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0383] Optionally, the method further includes: the NF sends information for transmission control to the UPF, and the information for transmission control refers to the description in the foregoing embodiments.

[0384] Step 606: The UPF performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control according to at least one of the third information, the information for indicating the signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, the information for indicating the data transmitted through the user plane channel, and the information for transmission control. [[ID=IF=11]]

[0385] In some embodiments, when determining that transmission control needs to be performed, the UPF can randomly generate a random number N. In addition, the UPF locally stores a random number M. If M > N, the NF is allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel; otherwise, the NF is not allowed to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Without loss of generality, according to the algorithm on the UPF side, it is also possible to allow the NF to send signaling or data through the user plane channel when M < N, and vice versa. For example, if the UPF needs to control only 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, the locally stored random number M = 0.7. If the random number N generated by the UPF > 0.7, the UPF allows the UE to send signaling or data through the user plane channel. Of course, the random number M can also be dynamically configured based on the situation of the NF. For example, when the sensing function decides to only allow 30% of the UEs to access the sensing function, M = 0.7 is sent to the UPF, and then the UPF performs dynamic transmission control.

[0386] Step 607a: If it is determined that transmission control is to be executed and the transmission control allows signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is to be executed and the transmission control allows data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is to be skipped, the UPF sends the corresponding data packet (NF signaling / data) to the UE.

[0387] Step 607b: If it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel, or if it is determined that transmission control is being executed and the transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel, the UPF sends a message to the NF indicating a transmission failure.

[0388] Optionally, the UPF sends a first reason value to the UE, the first reason value indicating the reason for the transmission failure. In some implementations, the third reason value indicates at least one of the following: transmission not allowed, access not allowed, transmission control failure, or transmission control not allowed.

[0389] The transmission control method provided in this application can be executed by a transmission control device. This application uses the example of a transmission control device executing the transmission control method to illustrate the transmission control device provided in this application.

[0390] This application provides a transmission control device. As an example, the transmission control device may be a communication device or a component within a communication device, such as a chip. The communication device may be a terminal, a network-side device, or a server, etc. Exemplarily, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and the network-side device may include, but is not limited to, the type of network-side device 12 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0391] The transmission control device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, etc., such as central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), artificial intelligence (AI) processors, graphics processing units (GPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), network processors (NPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceivers, pins, circuits, buses, radio frequency units, etc.

[0392] Referring to Figure 7, when the transmission control device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, for example, when the transmission control device is applied to a first communication device, the transmission control device 700 includes:

[0393] Module 701 is used to acquire the first target information;

[0394] Processing module 702 is configured to perform transmission control or determine to skip transmission control based on the first target information;

[0395] The first target information includes at least one of the following:

[0396] First information;

[0397] Second information used for prohibition and control;

[0398] Third information used to identify or forward data packets;

[0399] The fourth piece of information used for transmission control;

[0400] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service, transmission through the user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, data transmitted through the user plane channel, and target NF information.

[0401] Optionally, the processing module 702 is further configured to:

[0402] Determine whether to allow or disallow the transmission attempt.

[0403] Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following: information for indicating prohibition of control, and information for indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed.

[0404] Optionally, the first target information includes the second information, and the processing module 702 is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0405] If the second information includes information indicating that control is prohibited, transmission control is performed.

[0406] If the second information does not include information for indicating prohibition of control, or if the second information includes information for indicating that prohibition of control is not to be performed, it is determined that transmission control should be skipped.

[0407] If the second information does not include information indicating prohibition of control, or if the second information includes information indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed, transmission control is performed, wherein the transmission control includes determining whether to allow a transmission attempt.

[0408] Optionally, the acquisition module 701 is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0409] Obtain the first information from the terminal;

[0410] Obtain the second information from the second communication device;

[0411] The second information is obtained through the GTP-U header;

[0412] The first information is obtained through the AS message;

[0413] The second information is obtained based on information from the second communication device;

[0414] Obtain the first information from NF;

[0415] Obtain the third information from the third communication device;

[0416] The fourth information is obtained based on the second target information;

[0417] The second target information includes at least one of the following:

[0418] Peer protocol messages between the terminal and the NF;

[0419] Peer-to-peer protocol messages between the first communication device and the terminal;

[0420] QoS flow information.

[0421] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0422] The sending module is used to send information indicating transmission failure if a first condition is met.

[0423] The first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0424] The transmission control does not allow transmission attempts;

[0425] The transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0426] The transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0427] The transmission control does not allow the target service;

[0428] The transmission control does not allow signaling related to the target service;

[0429] The transmission control does not allow data related to the target service;

[0430] The transmission control does not allow signaling from the target NF;

[0431] The transmission control does not allow data from the target NF.

[0432] Optionally, the information used to indicate transmission failure includes a first reason value, which indicates at least one of the following: transmission not allowed, access not allowed, transmission control failure, and transmission control not allowed.

[0433] Optionally, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0434] Information used to identify data packets;

[0435] Information used to indicate forwarding behavior;

[0436] Information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel;

[0437] Information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel.

[0438] Optionally, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0439] Information used to determine the execution of transmission control;

[0440] Information used to determine when to skip transmission control;

[0441] Access identifier;

[0442] Access type;

[0443] Random numbers;

[0444] Second cause value.

[0445] Optionally, the access identifier is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0446] The terminal is configured with the target service;

[0447] The terminal is configured for user plane channel transmission;

[0448] The terminal is configured with Multimedia Priority Service (MPS);

[0449] The terminal is configured with a critical business service (MCS);

[0450] The terminal is configured to have disaster recovery conditions enabled;

[0451] The terminal is not configured with the primary service;

[0452] Wherein, the terminal not being configured with the first service refers to the terminal not being configured with any of the following: target service, user channel plane transmission, MPS, MCS, and disaster conditions being in effect.

[0453] Optionally, the second cause value indicates at least one of the following:

[0454] MPS priority access;

[0455] MCS priority access;

[0456] High-priority access;

[0457] Access terminated by the terminal;

[0458] Emergency services;

[0459] Signaling initiated by the terminal;

[0460] A voice call initiated by the terminal;

[0461] Short message service initiated by the terminal;

[0462] Data initiated by the terminal;

[0463] Target service signaling initiated by the terminal;

[0464] Target service data initiated by the terminal;

[0465] Target NF signaling initiated by the terminal;

[0466] Target NF data initiated by the terminal;

[0467] Signaling transmitted via the user plane channel initiated by the terminal;

[0468] Data transmitted via the user plane channel initiated by the terminal.

[0469] Optionally, the target service includes at least one of the following:

[0470] Services supported by the terminal or mobile communication system;

[0471] The business that initiates the access attempt;

[0472] The service that initiates a transmission attempt.

[0473] Optionally, the target NF information includes at least one of the following:

[0474] The identifier of the target NF;

[0475] The set of target NF;

[0476] The Internet Protocol IP address of the target NF;

[0477] The port number of the target NF;

[0478] The target NF's fully qualified domain name (FQDN);

[0479] The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the target NF;

[0480] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the target NF;

[0481] The type of the target NF;

[0482] The name of the target NF.

[0483] The transmission control device 700 provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiments of Figures 2 to 6 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0484] As shown in Figure 8, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 800, including a processor 801 and a memory 802. The memory 802 stores a program or instructions that can be executed on the processor 801. For example, when the communication device 800 is a first communication device, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor 801, they implement the various steps of the above-described transmission control method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0485] This application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 6. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the first communication device method embodiment described above. All implementation processes and methods of the above method embodiments can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and achieve the same technical effects.

[0486] Specifically, this application embodiment also provides a network-side device, which may be the transmission control device shown in FIG7. As shown in FIG9, the network-side device 900 includes: an antenna 91, a radio frequency device 92, a baseband device 93, a processor 94, and a memory 95. The antenna 91 is connected to the radio frequency device 92. In the uplink direction, the radio frequency device 92 receives information through the antenna 91 and sends the received information to the baseband device 93 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 93 processes the information to be transmitted and sends it to the radio frequency device 92, which processes the received information and then transmits it through the antenna 91.

[0487] The method executed by the network-side device in the above embodiments can be implemented in the baseband device 93, which includes a baseband processor.

[0488] The baseband device 93 may include at least one baseband board, on which multiple chips are disposed, as shown in FIG9. One of the chips is, for example, a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 95 via a bus interface to call the program or instructions in the memory 95 to execute the network-side device operation shown in the above method embodiment.

[0489] The network-side device may also include a network interface 96, such as a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0490] The processor 94 is configured to: acquire first target information; and, based on the first target information, perform transmission control or determine to skip transmission control; wherein the first target information includes at least one of the following:

[0491] First information;

[0492] Second information used for prohibition and control;

[0493] Third information used to identify or forward data packets;

[0494] The fourth piece of information used for transmission control;

[0495] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service; transmission through the user plane channel; signaling related to the target service; data related to the target service; signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; data transmitted through the user plane channel; target NF information.

[0496] In addition, the network-side device 900 of this application embodiment also includes: a program or instructions stored in a memory 95 and executable on a processor 94. The processor 94 calls the program or instructions in the memory 95 to execute the methods executed by each module shown in FIG7 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0497] Specifically, this application also provides a network-side device. As shown in FIG10, the network-side device 1000 includes a processor 1001, a network interface 1002, and a memory 1003. The network-side device may be the transmission control device shown in FIG7. The network interface 1002 is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0498] The processor 1001 is configured to: acquire first target information; and, based on the first target information, perform transmission control or determine to skip transmission control; wherein the first target information includes at least one of the following:

[0499] First information;

[0500] Second information used for prohibition and control;

[0501] Third information used to identify or forward data packets;

[0502] The fourth piece of information used for transmission control;

[0503] The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service; transmission via user plane channel; signaling related to the target service; data related to the target service; signaling transmitted via user plane channel; data transmitted via user plane channel; target NF information.

[0504] In addition, the network-side device 1000 of this application embodiment also includes: a program or instructions stored in the memory 1003 and executable on the processor 1001. The processor 1001 calls the program or instructions in the memory 1003 to execute the methods executed by each module shown in FIG7 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0505] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described transmission control method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0506] The processor mentioned above is either the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments or the processor in the network-side device. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0507] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described transmission control method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0508] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0509] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described transmission control method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0510] This application also provides a wireless communication system, including a terminal and a network-side device, wherein the network-side device can be used to execute the steps of the transmission control method described above.

[0511] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0512] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), and the computer software product includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0513] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A transmission control method, wherein, include: The first communication device acquires the first target information; The first communication device performs transmission control or determines to skip transmission control based on the first target information; The first target information includes at least one of the following: First information; Second information used for prohibition and control; Third information used to identify or forward data packets; The fourth piece of information used for transmission control; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service, transmission through the user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, data transmitted through the user plane channel, and target network function (NF) information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first communication device performs transmission control, including: The first communication device determines whether to allow or disallow the transmission attempt.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The second information includes at least one of the following: information for indicating prohibition of control, and information for indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The first target information includes the second information, and the step of performing transmission control or determining to skip transmission control includes at least one of the following: If the second information includes information indicating a prohibition of control, the first communication device performs transmission control; If the second information does not include information for indicating prohibition of control or if the second information includes information for indicating that prohibition of control is not to be performed, the first communication device determines to skip transmission control. If the second information does not include information indicating prohibition of control or if the second information includes information indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed, the first communication device performs transmission control, wherein the transmission control includes determining whether to allow a transmission attempt.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The first communication device acquires the first target information including at least one of the following: The first communication device acquires the first information from the terminal; The first communication device acquires the second information from the second communication device; The first communication device obtains the second information through the user plane GPRS tunneling protocol GTP-U header; The first communication device obtains the first information through access layer AS messages; The first communication device obtains the second information based on information from the second communication device; The first communication device acquires the first information from NF; The first communication device acquires the third information from the third communication device; The first communication device acquires the fourth information based on the second target information; The second target information includes at least one of the following: Peer protocol messages between the terminal and the NF; The peer-to-peer protocol messages between the first communication device and the terminal; Quality of Service (QoS) flow information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The method further includes: If the first condition is met, the first communication device sends information indicating a transmission failure; The first condition includes at least one of the following: The transmission control does not allow transmission attempts; The transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel; The transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel; The transmission control does not allow the target service; The transmission control does not allow signaling related to the target service; The transmission control does not allow data related to the target service; The transmission control does not allow signaling from the target NF; The transmission control does not allow data from the target NF.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The information used to indicate transmission failure includes a first reason value, which indicates at least one of the following: transmission not allowed, access not allowed, transmission control failure, and transmission control not allowed.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The third information includes at least one of the following: Information used to identify data packets; Information used to indicate forwarding behavior; Information used to identify signaling transmitted through the user plane channel; Information used to identify data transmitted through the user plane channel.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The fourth piece of information includes at least one of the following: Information used to determine the execution of transmission control; Information used to determine when to skip transmission control; Access identifier; Access type; Random numbers; Second cause value.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The access identifier is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal is configured with the target service; The terminal is configured for user plane channel transmission; The terminal is configured with Multimedia Priority Service (MPS); The terminal is configured with a critical business service (MCS); The terminal is configured to have disaster recovery conditions enabled; The terminal is not configured with the primary service; Wherein, the terminal not being configured with the first service refers to the terminal not being configured with any of the following: target service, user channel plane transmission, MPS, MCS, and disaster conditions being in effect.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The second cause value indicates at least one of the following: MPS priority access; MCS priority access; High-priority access; Access terminated by the terminal; Emergency services; Signaling initiated by the terminal; A voice call initiated by the terminal; Short message service initiated by the terminal; Data initiated by the terminal; Target service signaling initiated by the terminal; Target service data initiated by the terminal; Target NF signaling initiated by the terminal; Target NF data initiated by the terminal; Signaling transmitted via the user plane channel initiated by the terminal; Data transmitted via the user plane channel initiated by the terminal.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein, The target business includes at least one of the following: Services supported by the terminal or mobile communication system; The business that initiates the access attempt; The service that initiates a transmission attempt.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The target NF information includes at least one of the following: The identifier of the target NF; The set of target NF; The Internet Protocol IP address of the target NF; The port number of the target NF; The target NF's fully qualified domain name (FQDN); The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the target NF; The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the target NF; The type of the target NF; The name of the target NF.

14. A transmission control device, wherein, include: The acquisition module is used to acquire the first target information; The processing module is configured to perform transmission control or determine to skip transmission control based on the first target information. The first target information includes at least one of the following: First information; Second information used for prohibition and control; Third information used to identify or forward data packets; The fourth piece of information used for transmission control; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: target service, transmission through the user plane channel, signaling related to the target service, data related to the target service, signaling transmitted through the user plane channel, data transmitted through the user plane channel, and target NF information.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The processing module is also used for: Determine whether to allow or disallow the transmission attempt.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The second information includes at least one of the following: information for indicating prohibition of control, and information for indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, The first target information includes the second information, and the processing module is further configured to perform at least one of the following: If the second information includes information indicating that control is prohibited, transmission control is performed. If the second information does not include information for indicating prohibition of control, or if the second information includes information for indicating that prohibition of control is not to be performed, it is determined that transmission control should be skipped. If the second information does not include information indicating prohibition of control, or if the second information includes information indicating that prohibition of control should not be performed, transmission control is performed, wherein the transmission control includes determining whether to allow a transmission attempt.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14-17, wherein, The acquisition module is also used for at least one of the following: Obtain the first information from the terminal; Obtain the second information from the second communication device; The second information is obtained through the GTP-U header; The first information is obtained through the AS message; The second information is obtained based on information from the second communication device; Obtain the first information from NF; Obtain the third information from the third communication device; The fourth information is obtained based on the second target information; The second target information includes at least one of the following: Peer protocol messages between the terminal and the NF; Peer-to-peer protocol messages between a first communication device and a terminal, wherein the device is applied to the first communication device; QoS flow information.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein, The device further includes: The sending module is used to send information indicating transmission failure if a first condition is met. The first condition includes at least one of the following: The transmission control does not allow transmission attempts; The transmission control does not allow signaling to be transmitted through the user plane channel; The transmission control does not allow data to be transmitted through the user plane channel; The transmission control does not allow the target service; The transmission control does not allow signaling related to the target service; The transmission control does not allow data related to the target service; The transmission control does not allow signaling from the target NF; The transmission control does not allow data from the target NF.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, The information used to indicate transmission failure includes a first reason value, which indicates at least one of the following: transmission not allowed, access not allowed, transmission control failure, and transmission control not allowed.

21. A communication device, wherein, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions that can run on the processor, the program or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the transmission control method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

22. A readable storage medium, wherein, The readable storage medium stores a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the transmission control method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

23. A computer program product, wherein, The computer program product is stored in a storage medium, and the computer program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the transmission control method as described in any one of claims 1-13.

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